Family News

May 9, 2004

SHORT  BY
STUFF   DAVE SHANER

In the early part of Acts, you found that as the church grew that it also had the favor of all the people. Even though they challenged the status quo of the era, they were largely still seen as part of the Jewish religion. As they preached the message of the resurrected Christ, people responded with contrition over their sins and they were being baptized every day, As they did this, God was adding them to his spiritual family which came to be known as the church. They had a daily relationship with each other. They ate together; they prayed together; they studied the apostles teaching regularly. Soon, they were not simply adding, but they were multiplying very quickly. Missionaries were sent out to other places to get the message of Jesus and his message of forgiveness out. Those were very exciting times. They had a great start. But anything that threatens Satan's dominion will soon cross his paths. As problems arose, they sought to deal with them in God-honoring ways, they also found out that they were not a perfect church. In some places, the church did not have much favor, but were actually met with resistance. Their growth slowed, but God still blessed them for their steadfastness and faithfulness in the face of considerable opposition.

Today, there are different ways of measuring church growth. Some of it is numerical while some is more spiritual in nature. Both are important. Churches seem to have different cycles that include ups and downs. We must continually evaluate to make sure that we are following God's will. This is achieved by a love for God, good leadership, a commitment to scripture and to each other, Likely, there will always be areas where we could improve. Throughout the years as a church, we have had a lot of good years and we have worked together through some difficult ones. It is my hope and prayer that we can continue to share the same hopes, passions, and dreams. Only as we work together, can we honor God. Let's always remember to pray for each other. Pray for your leaders both men and women. We are serving the greatest God in the greatest cause in the world. Whatever you do, do it for Him.

Have a Great Week!!

When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, 'Dear women, here is your son,' and to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.' From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. -John 19:26-27

Happy Mother's Day!

C.C.S. K-2nd Grade Presents:
'Philadelphia Chickens'- May 11th

This is a 'benefit' Musical & Chicken Dinner, with all proceeds going toward the purchase of special tables for the lower wing. Dinner will begin at 6:00 p.m. and the performance will begin at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend and bring a friend!

Elders/Deacons Installation and Potluck

There will be a potluck dinner on Sunday, May 16 following the installation of our new elders and deacons. Please bring a dish of your choice to share.

Game Night!!!
6:30 p.m., Friday, May 14

Do you play Bunco?' Want to learn? Come to our monthly game night for a BUNCO PARTY.' We'll teach you how to play and guarantee you will have fun.
Bring snacks for those hunger pains. We will play in the small auditorium.

Church Nursery Toy Shower

Ladies you are invited to a Toy Shower for the church nursery on May 20, at 6:00 p.m. at the home of Alyssa Frahm, 3511 Pineridge Dr. For questions or more information please see or call Alyssa at 665-5851.

The toys in the nursery are all played out and need new friends. Please only new or nearly-new toys. No stuffed animals, no toys with numerous parts or toys with small parts. Donations are welcome. We will pool all of the donations and purchase a larger toy item.

All Church Work Day

We will also be having a church work day on Saturday, May 22, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. All ages are welcome to come. Please bring buckets and we will provide the cleaning supplies. We will be cleaning the church building plus the bus barn. Anyone able to bring their pick-up to use, it would be appreciated. God has blessed us with a very nice facility to meet in. Let's honor him in the care we show for it.

Shepherd's Corner

The Shepherds want to express their thanks to the Selection Committee for the outstanding job of interviewing the Elders and Deacons that the congregation selected. The names of those selected have been placed in your mail box during today's service. As you review these names, if you find a scriptural objection, please go to that person and discuss your objection. If you cannot resolve the objection with the person, please write your objection, sign it, and give it to the Selection Committee. These letters must be in the hands of the committee by Wednesday, May 12. The installation of these men is planned for Sunday May 16. We are planning a potluck on that date to honor the leadership in the congregation and we hope that you will attend. The Selection Committee members are: Mike Swaim, Russ Allen, Cheryl Mullaly, and LeeAnn Freshour.
-For the Elders

Dave Ramsey Work Shop
'The Total Money Makeover'

Tuesday, May 25th
5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
at the Spokane Opera House
Sign up sheet is on the kiosk

VBS Teacher Meeting

All VBS teachers please come to a planning meeting on Wednesday, May 26 at 5:00 p.m. You can plan on getting dinner at the Soup Kitchen and eatting your dinner during the meeting. We will meet in room #3.

Family Camp - May 28-31

This is a wonderful opportunity for your family to spend time together in the beautiful outdoor setting of Camp Prince's Pine on Lake Thomas. Christian families from all over the Northwest will enjoy a weekend of fellowship and fun. John Ives of the Valley congregation in Spokane is the director and needs to hear from you if you plan to go. Registration forms are available in the lobby

Evening Worship Assembly
LIFE Groups

On Sunday, May 30 at 5:30 pm, we will be having an evening worship assembly. All of our LIFE Groups will be meeting here instead of their normal meeting times. We will be doing this whenever there is a 5th Sunday in a given month. This gives our leaders a break plus allows us to get together to learn new songs, pray together, and enjoy each other's fellowship.

Calendar of Events

May 11 - 6:30 a.m. - Prayer Breakfast at JB's
May 11 - C.C.S Philadelphia Chicken Dinner Show
May 14 - Game Night - 6:30 p.m. Small Auditorium
May 16 - Elder/Deacon Installation & Potluck
May 20 - Church Nursery Toy Shower at Alyssa's
May 21-23 - Tri Cities Youth Rally in Richland
May 22 - All Church Work Day - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
May 25 - Dave Ramsey Work Shop in Spokane
May 28 - Sr. High Formal at the Brown's
May 28 - 31 - Family Camp at Camp Prince's Pine
May 30 - Evening Worship Assembly LIFE Groups

Prayer Requests

Karmen Rouse is recovering from knee surgery. Pray for her comfort and quick healing.

Pray for Cody & Ben Rupnick and Cody's girlfriend, Jenna, as they are all healing from recent accidents.

Betty Wilhoite hurt her knee while on the airplane. Pray for her as she does physical therapy.

Rob Womeldorff and sons will be traveling for the next few weeks and he asks prayers for their safety and no injuries to Kyle and his teammates.

Red Caylor, Opal Wilson's son-in-law, is recovering from a stroke.

Christopher Henrikson, Don and Wilma Flanagan's grandson, is in Iraq. Also, Claudia Moberg's grandson, Daniel Moberg, is in Kuwait. Keep their safety in your prayers as they serve our country.

Matt Rude will be going to Texas for training and then deployment.

Pray for the safe return of those returning home from the Pepperdine Lectureship in Malibu, California.

Remember Mary Grow, Larry and Jean Grow's daughter-in-law, in the passing of Mary's mother. Keep her and the family in your prayers during this time of loss.

Pray for the Reeves and the Togo Team, as they work among the Kabiye people of Northern Togo. The Lord is continuing to bless them with additions to the churches in many villages.

Continue to remember: Jeff Almond, Rita Welter, Sally Diavatsi, Jerry Roth, Russ Allen, Kenneth Bond, George Kane, Patricia VanWagner, Ross Edmunds.

Thank You!

Robert and Irene Clark appreciates the elders and the congregation for their prayers. They are hopefully in the process of selling their home in Colorado and Robert has a new job interview coming up soon. Keep Irene in your prayers as she is still in Colorado.

VBS Donation Need

We are needing refrigerator boxes for VBS. Please give them to Alyssa Frahm or Michelle Kish. Thank you.

Mike's Memos.....

YOUTH GROUP EVENTS

Weekly events include:
 - Sunday Morning Bible Class 9:00am
 - Sunday Morning Worship 10:15am
 - Sunday Night Life Group 5:30pm
 - Wednesday Night Bible Class 6:30pm
 - Friday Night TNT 7:00pm

Up-coming special events include:
 - Tri-Cities Youth Rally May 21-23
 - 'Identity Theft'
 - Senior High Formal May 28 (Dinner at the the Brown's + fun & games!)
 - May 29, Youth Intern Levi Sisemore arrives!
 - Sunday, May 30, Senior Recognition Day
 - Teen 'Kick Off' June 5 (On Lake Cd'A at the Slate's home)
 - Teen Night with Cascade's Witness June 13
 - Music Camp June 20 - 26
 - All Teen Camp June 26-July 2

In the rest of my column this week I will share the words of a song based on Psalm 104 which emphasizes the importance of worship in reminding us of how great our God is. As the CD jacket says, 'When I feel my life spinning out of control, and that I'm powerless to stop it, worship reorders everything in my life, simply by reminding me of who He is.

Oh Lord my God, you are great!
You are clothed with splendor and majesty!
Oh Lord my God, you are great!
With all my soul I'll praise your name.

Wrapped in light as a garment
Ride the wind like a chariot
Set the earth on its foundation
And sustain it by the power of your hand

Oh Lord my God, you are great!
You are clothed with splendor and majesty!
Oh Lord my God, you are great!
With all my soul I'll praise your name.

How you provide is a work of art
Giving bread that sustains my heart
From your hand comes all good things
Only you my God can satisfy.

Oh Lord my God, you are great!
You are clothed with splendor and majesty!
Oh Lord my God, you are great!
With all my soul I'll praise your name.

C.C.S CORNER SCHOOL NEWS

Another school year is near it's end. We have accomplished many goals. Yet the first graders are full of enthusiasm to learn more! They will make 'story maps' for their final reading project to go with the stories, 'Pinocchio' and 'My Father's Dragon'. All the first graders have worked diligently toward improving their printing this last quarter. Also they are learning the Lord's Prayer in Spanish, along with the second graders.

By faith we allow His spirit of truth to do it's work in us, then learning knows no boundaries.....

His Servant,
Teri DuPey

BIBLE BUILDERS MEMORY VERSES
Children's Sunday A.M. Bible Classes

4 years - Grade K:
'I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.'
Genesis 28:15a

1st - 2nd Grade:
'I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land'
Genesis 28:15a

3rd - 6th Grade:
'I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.'
Genesis 28:15

Remember to keep praying for your Secret Prayer Sister!

Below is a poem Audrey Hepburn quoted when asked to share beauty tips:

For attractive lips, speak out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. People, even more than things have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

TO SERVE May 16^th, 2004

Contact Warren Brown ASAP if you are unable to serve.

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